Music-desk fob pianos



J. J. FROESS.

MUSIC DESK FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION man OCT. 31. I917.

Patent-6d July 22, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. J. FROESS.

MUSIC DESK FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION men OCT. 31. 1917.

Patented July 22, 1919.

2 SH ET T 2.

JACOB J. FROESS, 0F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

MUSIC-DESK ron PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 22, 1919.

Application filed October 31, 1917. Serial No. 199,450.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB J. FRoEss, citizen of the United States, residing at Erie,

' in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylmusic desks for pianos and particularly to means for supporting the front panel of a iano having a .graphophone and record cabinet mounted in the upper portion of the piano case. w

The object of my invention, is to provide a piano of this character with a front panel which can be either adjusted to entirely close the front of the piano and conceal the graphophone and record cabinet, or which can be adjusted outwardly for the purpose of supporting a sheet of music in front of the panel, or which can be adjusted downwardly a sufficient distance to disclose the graphophone and record cabinet, when it is desired to use the graphophone. I obtain these three adjustments by my improved mechanism for supporting the panel.

' My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated one form or embodiment of my invention, and the said invention is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a combined graphophone and piano showing the front panel of the piano case in lowered or open position to disclose the graphophone and record cabinet, which is mounted in the upper part of the piano case.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the panel showing the mechanism upon which the same is mounted in the piano case.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the piano case, showing the panel in closed position and the mechanism which supports the same.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the panel swung outwardly into position to support a sheet of music.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the panel in lowered position to display the graphophone and record cabinet.

In the drawings, 1 represents a piano case having a shelf 2 extending across the upper portion of the interior of the same and supporting a record cabinet 3 and a graphophone 4 having a horn 5.

The sides 6 of the piano are provided with vertical grooves 7 in which are slidably mounted pins 8 which project from the side edges of the panel 9 of the piano case. A rock shaft 10 has its ends journaled in the sides of the piano case and carries two arms 11 which have their free ends pivotally connected at 12 to one end of links 13. The other'ends of the links 13 are pivotally connected at 14 to blocks'15, secured to the back of the panel.

1 Brackets 16'are secured to the sides of the piano'case and are provided with slots 17 having substantially vertical portions 18 terminating at their upper ends in substantially horizontal portions 19 into which merge notches 20 and 21. Brackets 22 are secured to the rear of the panel near the ends of the same and carry near their rear ends, pins 23 which slidably engage the slots 17.

An angle iron 24 extends across the upper portion of the piano case and coil springs 25 have their upper ends secured to this angle iron and their lower ends secured to the 7 back of the panel, as shown at 26.

When the panel is closed the piano case presents the appearance of an ordinary piano and the piano may be played as such, without interference by the graphophone. If it is desired to play the graphophone alone or simultaneously with the piano, the lower end of the panel is pulled forward and then downwardly until it rest in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

When the panel is closed, the panel supporting means rest in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the coil springs 25 will retain the same in this position. If it is desired to use the panel to support a sheet of music, the lower end of the panel is pulled outwardly and this will cause the pins 23 to travel from the notches 20 to the notches 21 and the springs 25 have a tendency to hold the pins in this position.

When it is desired to play the graphophone, the lower end of the panel is pulled outwardly and the panel then moved downwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. This causes the pins 8 to descend in the guides 7 and causes the pins 23 to travel downwardly in the slots 17 until they reachthe position shown in Fig. 5. Whenever the panel is moved outwardly or downwardly the rock shaft 10 will be turned and the arms 11 and links-13 will then aid in supporting the panel in the position to which provided in'said case having slots in which said pins-slide. 7

2. The combination with a piano case having its sides provided with interior grooves,

- or a panel having laterally projecting pins which pivotally and slidably engage said grooves, a rock shaft mountedin the piano .case and having ai'nisjlinks connecting said arms and the panel, slotted brackets located in the piano case, brackets secured to the rear of the panel and having pins which engagethe slots of the slotted brackets, and springs secured to said panel and to a sta tionary portion of the piano case.

3. The combination with a piano case having its sides provided with interior grooves,

of a panel having laterally projecting pins which pivotally and slidably engage" said grooves, a rock shaft extending horizontally across the interior of the piano case and having its ends journaled in the sides of the case,.arms rigidly-connected: to said shaft, links pivotally connected to said arms and .to the'rear ofthe panel, brackets secured to the sides of the case and having substantially angular shaped slots, spaced notches merging into said slots,ibracketsextending from the rear of said panel and having laterally projecting pins movably engaging said slots and adapted-to engage said'notches for securing the panel in different positions.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' JACOB J. FRoEss;

copies of this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Co1i1in;is sioner' of Patents, Washington, 13.1)." v: I 

